The massacre of the holy innocents.
“When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’” Matthew 2:16-18
The Church venerates these children as martyrs: they are the first buds of the Church killed by the frost of persecution; they died not only for Christ, but in his stead.
“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” Revelation 6:9-11
Today, we witness this sacrifice ongoing. This is an attack on the church, the family and God Himself. Abortion is the ongoing massacre of holy innocents. I always imagined these poor babies as adding to the number of martyrs under the altar.
We need to pray to end the scourge of abortion. Why? Well, the first reason is dah – to saves lives. An end to abortion means babies will live to be born and not sacrificed. Second, that “their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” Bring the end and our Lord as judge.
Let’s end it! Pray, pray and pray. No more silent majority, no more silent watchers. If you are on Facebook, look for ‘John Leaps productions,’ where they present a lot of programming to fight abortion.
Another aspect to think of on this day is of those peoples with “Herodian” hearts. King Herod was a horrible, violent, vicious tyrant. He ordered the massacre of these innocent young children to protect his station and way of life. He would destroy anybody and anything that got in the way of what he desired.
I look around our world today and clearly see many Herods. Men and women who seek a self-centered and hedonistic life. People who are so focused on their privilege and happiness that they will do anything to obtain their desires and ‘destroy’ anyone who gets in their way. Men and women alike, who want the sensual joys of life so much that they are willing to destroy life seeing it as a curse to their freedom and joy instead of the gift that it is. People who seek wealth and fame so much that they will step over and on anyone between them and this goal. I see people who desire their personal goal and happiness so much that they will make pacts with even the devil. We see leaders and idols with a pulpit who choose to use their voice to lead people further down the path to darkness. Worse for me is the knowledge that so many in our world have allowed these leaders to place a blindfold over their eyes, walking ignorantly along a very dark road.
God in His love and light chose to come to the world to guide people and open the gates of Heaven. But, so many hate the light He brings. They chose to walk in their darkness, thinking it fun and freedom. They are so blinded by the dark that they can’t see Hell’s precipice looming ahead.
“those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.” John 3:18-20
Herod has set a seed in the hearts of so many people even to today. But, we who have seen the light even in the darkest of days, know that even one small flickering candle can vanquish the darkness. Darkness flees before the Light. Jesus calls us to be lights in the darkness.
“let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Eternal God, You have revealed Yourself as the Father of all Life. We praise You for the Fatherly care which You extend to all creation, and especially to us, made in Your image and likeness.
Father, extend Your hand of protection to those threatened by abortion, and save them from its destructive power. Give Your strength to all fathers, that they may never give in to the fears that may tempt them to facilitate abortions.
Bless our families and bless our land, that we may have the joy of welcoming and nurturing the life of which You are the source and the Eternal Father. Amen.